Wheel-support.



M. G. BUNNELL.

WHEEL SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14, 1908.

LGWAZSQ Patentqd Sept. 3, 1912.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

VV/T/VE55E a )1? Q- WM Y 147/5970 N/V152,;

M. G. BUNNELL.

WHEEL SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14, 1908.

Patented se ta 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M. G. BUNNELL.

WHEEL SUPPORT. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14, 1908.

Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

147 TTGE/VE'YS f "er-mm v ars is ii. i

MORTON G. BUNNELL, Z2

sexiness,

T 0 all whom it may com-em I Be it known that I, Mosrem G Bmsisnm, acitizen of the United States i America, and resident of Chicago, Coshconsign Elli:

nois, have invented cerisin new usea ful Improvement jig"Wheel-Ehipporhs, of

which the following is a specification.

especially useful in eonneclicn "with purpose is not and heavy vehicles,such as exeevefiors, ditching machines and trsciion The. value of thetrash or sense].

c iv see of f for him Sll' weight of machines consequent necessity "tthe ground, hut also because the hunger of the machine becoming he orsoft grouncl over which it me v have to travel. Obviously, ibis heree;-.st.,lhe'travel ing track or support. which is usually the form of abroad and enclless link belt, has its greatest usefulness, although itmay also he used an expedient for increasing the traction ofaselfipropellecl vehicle on any and all kinds of ground'. Various formsof these supports or tracks hsvebeen pro posed, and some used, ontnoneof which I regard as entirely successful and adapted for my purpose.

Generally stated, therefohe, the object of my invention is to proviciean improvm anal highly efficient traveling tmck or Way for use insupporting heels of vehicles and movable h'oelies in general,

Epecisl objects are (0 provicle tress track or Way of such haracter ilfl-i is c with the true eels havim "clsi-i. ixecl axes, he list-Leilater-Lil i! its ens to turn to right or left, is hereliofore impossibleso r as l: en: new swarm to provide a vehicle or movable. body hasinglruoks that run Within and rest upon traveling or self-laying tracksor Ways for the Wheels, and which can he turned or skewed like ordinarywheels o unners to make the machine it rel to 1e '91 l f to provideimproved, means wheels that roll on thee support or i-rhch; is presSerge, 3, MM

men's Wherehy mere or less freesm'ol" mo tion or flexibility will existlie-lessen the Wheels the tracks or welys on which they are supported,permit ing ihe letter to cehform readily to uneven ground; and topreside certain deisj "ml feeiures of inipro-vement sensing toincrease-the general.

eiheiencv of an arrangement of this parsimilar character.

Te the foregoi 3' my invention censis s'ei forih and claimed.

in the accompanying drswingsz-Figure l is plan a vehielecr movablehociy, having enclless firm-sling tracks or s for ihe "reels hereof,embodying the pllncioles of nvention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged front e andether Liseful ends,

is silenthe. trucks or Wheels-cl members lthst have the endlesstraveling-l su ports which move along on the ground to form tracks orways for the ii-heels to upon. ljigg. Q is a transverse section on lineft-41 in 3. Fig. 5 is a detail View of a portion of the link belf orprises lehgiluclinsl beams a connected by transverse end beams 61/,which latter serve *TiGS 2r holsters for ihe trucks B by Le bogly orframe A is suppoi-{sed l .Jlfllji. As the four trucks shown are rill thesame in character, 01" one will he snfilcieni.

therefore, to Figs. 3'to8inelusive, ii; Wilihe seen that the trucktherein shown comprises a rigid frame I) exsending transversely 'ol? theend of the beam (0 and loesely secured therein by a pivot or bolt 6,

his or she-leis m steer the ml chine on 1 tr w scness of sheconnection-i0 reek siifihat is in msar rs hereinafter on of s e of sheseer sreby the said flame b is free to 'turn to ,1, eenrse, and was byreesonpi s'sllg'ht s description are disposed one in front and one inrear of the beam a, which latter is supported on a bearing plate 7/carried by the lower portion of the frame I). Said wheels have theirtreads preferably grooved or roughened to prevent slipping, and travelupon a broad endless link belt composed of pivotally connected links I),which belt traivels along the ground as fast as the wheels roll.forward, the wheels and truck frame being disposed within the said belt.The links of the belt are hinged together by interlocking portions 6,and by pintles or pivot rods b and it will be seen that these rods areheld by pins 5 in the center or middle of each link, and that at eachside of such center the said rods have considerable play or lost motionin the openings through which they extend in the portions 6. The play orlost motion, however, is only in the plane of the links, and not otherdirections, as the holes are only enlarged in the one direction; andthus one link cannot riseor fall relative to the others. Moreover, thelinks are so formed that practically they have space between them attheir outer ends only, or substantially so, there being no longitudinalplay or .lost motion at the center, whereby the links can move togetheror apart at the sides of the belt. In this way the said belt has acertain fixed circumference at the middle thereof, but the sides areadapted to expand or contract to increase or diminish the circumferenceof either side-'that is to say, the links have slack or play in theplane thereof at the sides of the belt only. Obviously, therefore, thebelt can flex to either side, so as to turn to the right or the left,depending upon which way the wheels are steered-or cramped in directingthe course of the machine. Upon the inner surfaces of the links, and atthe center of the belt, two parallel rows of lugs are provided, thus ineffect providing a groove or track in which run the wheels [1 as shownin Fig. 4. Thus the broad belt or endless support must always follow thedirection of travel of the wheels, and vice versa, the width of the beltor endless self-laying track thus provided beingsufiicient to supportthe wheels against sinking into soft ground. -Wheels b two at the frontand two at the rear, are mounted on the ends of the frame Z), andadapted to bear-upon the inner surface of the link belt.

I When the machine is running straight ahead. the wheels 71 at the fronttouch the belt, and the rear wheels 72 are preferably out-cl contacttherewith, thus giving the requisite slack in the belt necessary ordesirable for changing the course of the machine. These wheels 72 areset well apart, so that when the truck is turned or skewed one frontwheel is pushed forward and the other drawn back, and one rear wheel ispushed rearward against the belt and the other moved forward, therebybringing the two ends of the belt around in the direction of traveldesired for the truck; and the wheels then roll forward and straightenout the belt, after which another turn can be given the. truck and theoperation repeated until the machine is finally brought into the desiredposition. The top of the belt is supported by barrel-shaped rolls 7)mounted in bearings on the frame I) and adapted to contact with the lugsb as the links 6 travel along. With this arrangement the belt may careento either side, while passing over uneven ground, the wheels remainingupright and in the groove provided by the lugs b; and when this takesplace the upper portion of the link belt slides to one side or the otheron the smooth surfaces of the rolls 1). The fact thatthe links haveslack or play at the sides of the belt is also responsible for theflexibility and surprising manner in which the belt readily conforms touneven ground without interfering with its efliciency as a travelingground support or track for the wheels of the truck.

Referring now again to Figs. 1 and 2. it will be seen that one wheel ofeach of the four trucks is driven by a tumbling rod connection Coperated by gearing D driven in any suitable manner. By means of thesetumbling rod connections the trucks are free to be turned or skewedwithout interfering with the transmission of power to the wheelsthereof. Each front 'wheel is, it will be seen, connected by a sprocketchain E with the rear wheel, whereby the power is communicated to bothwheels of each truck.

' For steering the machine a drum F is mounted on the under side of thebeam a adjacent each truck, and connected to the front. and rear ends ofthe frame 7) thereof by means of a cable or chain f. as shown. Each drumis geared to a verti al hand wheel shaft f. the latter being heldagainstrotation by a foot operated dog f tha ea gages a notched wheel 7on said shaft. lly these steering gear arrangements the tracks can beturned or skewed to either side to give the machine the desireddirection of travel.

The macbire may have any suitable number of trucks, and may be used forany desired purpose. such as excavating, or it may be used as a tra tionengine. In any event, however. the traveling support for the trucksserve effectually to prevent stalling of the wheels in the mud or softground over which the machine may find it necessary to travel, and whenused on a se ere-po ted vehicle serves also to materially increase the,tractlve power thereof.

over an obstruction, the tlvvoendsoif thebelt thus having an up and downmotion relative 'to the vehicle or body of the machine, and

this being accomplished by making the con nection of the truck With'thebeam {5' suiiiciently loose in charscter to insure t-hedesired play orrocking motion of the truck while the same is passing over obstructionsor uneven ground.

The Wheels 01. have relatively fixed axes,

and, it will be seen, are arranged tandem in the endless belt. Even withthis arrangement, though, as explained, the, lateral fiexi bility of thebelt, in conjunction with the means for skewing the Wheels in the somedirection, ermits the traction device thus constructe to change itscourse readily and without straining the parts thereof.

What I claim as my invention is r 1. in a vehicle or traveling body, anendless link belt for supporting the same on the ground, and meansincluding tandem wheels lia-vlng relatively l'ised axes for de ctmg saidbelt horizontally to either change the direction bi travel tbei beltadapted to careen over either side, relative to said means.

2. In a vehicle or-traveling body, an end less traveling supportingbelt, wheels adaptedfiotravel only at the center of said belt, and meansfor changing the direction of travel thereof, means for supporting theupper portion and permitting the said belt to careen over to eitherside,- relative to said Wheels.

3. In a vehicle or traveling body, an endless link belt for supportingthe same on the ground, wheels adapted to travel only at the center ofsaid belt, a truck frame remain in vertical position.

5. In a wheeled vehicle or traveling body,

an endless link belt for supporting the same on the ground, and meansfor deflecting said belt to either side to change the direc- 'tion oftravel thereof, said belt having the inner surface thereof provided lugsforming; a center groove or track for the -for changing the direction oftravel thereof, said belt being flexible to conform to the surface-ofthe ground, and having the inner surface thereof provided with dogsformlng a groove or track for the Wheels of the vehicle, whereby thetread of-eaeh Wheel. restsand travels on the belt at a point between thesaid lugs, and means for engaging the lugs above to prevent the upperportion of the bolt froin resting on the wheels, but

permitting lateral displacement of the belt thereon.

it; in a wheeled vehicle or traveling body,

an endless link belt for supporting the same on the ground, and meanswithin the belt 1 for changing the direction of travel thereof,

said belt having the inner surface thereof provided with lugs forming agroove or track for the Wheels of the belt at a point between the saidlugs, and a convex support on which the lugs of the upper portion of thebelt rest and are free to. slide to either side.

8. In a Wheeled vehicle or traveling body, an endless link belt forsupporting the same on the ground, said'belt having the inner surfacethercoi provided with lugs forming a groove or track for the wheels ofthe vehicle, whereby the rounded tread of each Wheel rests and travelson the belt at a point between the said lugs, permitting the belt totilt sidewise, said wheels having relatively fixed axes.

9. In a'vehicle or traveling body, an endless link belt for supportingthe same on the ground, means for deflecting said belt to either side tochange the direction of travel thereof, said belt being laterallyflexible for this purpose, and barrel-shaped supporting the upperportion of said elt,

permitting lateral sliding movement. of tbo thereof, a truck frame forsaid wheels, meansfor chan "in the direction of travel thereof evehicle, whereby the tread of'each Wheel tests and travels onandbarrel-shaped rolls for supporting the upper portionof said belt,mounted on said truck, permitting lateral movenientlof the upper portionof said belt thereon.

11. In a. vehicle or traveling body, an endless linl-t belt forsupporting the same on the ground, means Within the belt for changinLlho direction oftravel thereof, and barre 4 less link belt forsupporting the same on the ground, and barrel-shaped rolls forsupporting the upper portion of aid belt, permitting lateral movement ofthe upper portionof said belt thereon.

13. In a vehicle or traveling body, an endless link belt forsupportingthe same on the ground, and means within the belt for changingthe direction of travel thereof, including a vertical pivot within thebelt connecting the latter with the vehicle, a plurality of tandemwheels movable about said pivot as a common axis, and wheels for skewingsaid means about said pivot.

14. In a vehicle or traveling body, an endless link belt for supportingthe same on the ground, wheels traveling on the belt and havingrelatively fixed axes, and a vertical pivot within the belt, betweensaid axes, connecting the latter with the vehicle.

15. In a vehicle or traveling body, an endless link belt for supportingthe same on the ground, which belt is laterally flexible, means fordeflecting said belt to either side to change the direction of travelthereof, and means including a tumbling rod and a supporting truck Wheeloperated thereby for driving said belt.

16. In a wheeled vehicle ortraveling body, an endless travelingsupporting belt for the wheels thereof, means for changing thedirect-ion of travel thereof, by skewing said wheels about a commonvertical axis, and means including a tumbling rod and one of said Wheelsoperated thereby for driving said belt.

17. In a vehicle or traveling body, an endless link belt for supportingthe same on the ground, means within the. belt for changing thedirection of travel thereof, comprising a pivoted truck, and meansincluding a tumbling rod for driving one of said wheels.

18. In a wheeled vehicle ortravelingbody, an endless link be t. forsupporting the same on the ground, means including a tumbling rod and asupporting truck wheel operated thereby for driving said belt, a bodyframe for supporting said driving means, and means for effecting thechange in position of said wheel made possibly by said tumbling rod 19.In a vehicle or traveling body, an end less traveling supporting beltfor the supporting wheels thereof, means for changing the direction oftravel thereof. wheels supported by and traveling within the belt, meanson said belt for preventing lateral displacement of the Wheels from thecenter of said belt, a truck frame for said Wheels, and means on saidtruck for 'supporting the top of the belt out of contact with saidwheels.

20. In a vehicle or traveling body, an endless link belt for supportingthe same on the ground, means within the belt for changing the directionof travel thereof, by flexing the belt sidewise, wheels supported by.and

traveling within the belt,and means on said belt for preventing lateraldisplacement of the \vheelsfrom the center of said belt, said wheelshaving relatively fixed axes.

21. In a vehicle or traveling body, an endless link belt for supportingthe same on the ground, said belt being adapted to stretch at each sidebut not at the center, means for deflecting said belt to either side tochange the direction of travel thereof, comprising a truck mounted toturn about a pivot or vertical axis, and structural connectionspermitting the front and rear ends of the belt to rise and fall inpassing over obstructions or uneven ground.

22-. In a vehicle or traveling body, an endless traveling supportingbelt for the wheels thereof, means for changing the direction of travelthereof, comprising a truck mounted to turn about a pivot or verticalaxis, means on said truck for supporting the top of the belt, andstructural connections permitting the front and rear ends of the truckto rise and fall about a horizontal axis in passing over obstructions oruneven ground.

23. In a vehicle or traveling body, an endless link belt for supportingthe same on the ground, means within the belt for changing the directionof travel by lateral deflection thereof, comprising a truck mounted toturn about a pivot or vertical axis, means for driving one of the wheelsof said truck, and structural connections permitting the front and rearends of the belt to rise and fall in passing over obstructions or unevenground.

24:. n a vehicle or traveling body, an endless link belt for supportingthe same on the ground, comprising a truck mounted to turn about avertical axis, a pivot providing said axis, disposed within the ielt,means within the belt for supporting said pivot, and structuralconnections permitting the front and rear ends of the belt to rise andfall in passing over obstructions or uneven ground, as set forth.

An endless raction belt, wheels running on the cemer of the belt, andmeans permitting the top of the belt to lean over to either side,without inclinin the said wheels, and without longitudina ly stretchingthe upper portion of the belt, While passing over uneven ground.

26. In a traction machine, a truck frame, a plurality of niainsupporting truck Wheels arranged tandem and having axes which alwaysremain parallel, and a' laterally flexible supportingbelt travelingaround said frame and wheels.

27. In a traction machine, a truck frame, a plurality of main Supportingtruck wheels arranged tandem and having axes which alwaysremain-parallel, and a laterally flexible supporting belt travelingaround said frame and wheels, and means for skewing the entire truck tochange the course of said belt.

28. In a traction machine, a truck frame, a pluralftyof main supportingtruck wheels arranged tandem and having axes which always remainparallel, a laterally flexible supporting belt traveling around saidframe and wheels, and means for keeping the front and rear portionsof-said belt out of contact with said wheels. 29. In a'traction machine,a truck frame, a plurality of main supporting truck wheels arrangedtandem and having axes which always remainparallel, a laterally flexiblesupportin belt traveling around said frame and Wheels, and means on thetruck frame Wher'ebysaid wheels contact with said belt only at thebottom thereof.

30. In a traction machine, a truck frame,

a plurality of main supporting truck Wheels arranged tandem and havingaxes which always remain parallel, a laterally flexible supporting belttraveling around said frame and wheels, means on the truck frameWhereby'said wheels contact with said belt only at the bottom thereof,and means for skewingthe entire truck to change the course of said belt.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 29th day of August,1908.

MORTON o. BUNNELL.

Witnesses C. E. TAYLOR, J. N ORBY.

